From carnivals to beach parties, and a castle soirée – we’ve got 31 different ways for you to bid farewell to 2013!
8 pm NYE Black & White Ball @ The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. W. Channel Frank Sinatra and Audrey Hepburn or just use your favourite monochromatic Instagram filter all night at the Drake’s building-wide Black & White Ball! Whether you want to say farewell to 2013 with a sumptuous feast or take your glam outfit for a twirl on the dance floor, NYE at Drake has got your ticket. (For dinner reservations, email specialevents@thedrakehotel.ca or call (416) 531-5042 ext.1.) $23.05-$100.22 advance tickets available online.
8 pm SPiN Toronto Neon New Year’s Eve Party @ SPiN, 461 King St. W. (lower level). Play ping pong, drink, eat, and dance your way into the New Year. SPiN Toronto turns the blacklights on for NYE to welcome Squid Lid for an electro-industrial spectacle performance! DJ sets by Sir Rock Obama and Deadly Vanity. No cover.
8 pm Tranzac New Year’s Eve @ Tranzac, 292 Brunswick Ave. 10 acts, three rooms, one unforgettable party. Featuring Hooded Fang, Kashka, Weaves, Maloo (Maylee Todd’s solo project), The True Vistor Band, Josh Southworth, Sing Leaf, Blimp Rock, The Woodshed Orchestra, and DJ Gavin. Complimentary champagne toast for everyone at midnight! $15 advance tickets available at Tranzac, Rotate This, and Soundscapes; $17 at the door.
9 pm The Dude’s New Year’s: The Big Lebowski @ Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W. Last year, a sold-out crowd of “Little Achievers” joined Bloor Hot Docs to ring in the New Year with bevvies, bowling, and a raucous screeing of The Big Lebowski. The Dude, Walter, Donny and the gang are back for another round of White Russians, Creedence, and unforgettable hijinks. This may be the only New Year’s party where wearing a bathroom and sunglasses is encouraged! $20 tickets (includes screening, one drink, popcorn, and party favours) available through Bloor Hot Docs.
9 pm Big Top NYE Party @ The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W. Put on your best top hat and ring in the New Year with jugglers, acrobats, carnival games, midnight balloon drop, complimentary champagne toast, and everything else you’d expect to find under the Big Top! With DJs MAKEM Wolfh34rt, Dirty Dale, and Splattermonkey. Themed VIP rooms with bottle service; private or ring-side spaces available (email info@electricityevents.com or call (416) 558-2720). Limited $40 early bird and $50 advance tickets available online; limited $70 tickets available at the door.
9 pm Eve Me Up: A Disco NYE @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W. Funky, soulful, and boogie-laden disco tunes brought to you by A Digital Needle, Cyclist, and Alister Johnson. Complimentary Steamwhistle toast at the groove of that midnight rhythm (that’s when things will really come alive)! $10 limited advance tickets available online. $15 at the door.
9 pm Bangs & Blush Present: Bowties & Party Dresses @ Clinton’s, 693 Bloor St. W. Bangs & Blush play all your favourite party songs from the ’50s to now! LADIES: sport your sparkliest party dresses; and GENTS: class it up with a suit and/or bow-tie. Advance tickets sold out but there will be more $20 tickets available at the door.
9 pm New Years Baby @ Andy Poolhall, 489 College St. DJ sets by Brendan Canning (Broken Social Scene, Cookie Duster, hHead), Justin Peroff (Broken Social Scene, Eight and a Half), Sunclef, Efsharp (Evolved Entertainment), and Caff (Good Kids, Party Machine). $20 advance tickets available at Andy Poolhall, Rotate This, Soundscapes, Play De Record, and online.
9 pm YLMC NYE 2014: Dwayne Gretzky & DJ Lazy Ray @ Palais Royale Ballroom, 1601 Lakeshore Blvd. W. Featuring a performance by everyone’s favourite cover superband loosely named after a hockey legend, Dwayne Gretzky! Plus DJ Lazy Ray (a.k.a. Raymond Gillespie) playing a whole lot of groovie tunies from the vaults of disco, funk, and rock ‘n’ roll. $35 advance tickets available at Rotate This, Soundscapes, and online.
9 pm Yes Yes Y’all Presents: NYYYE with Bizzarh Vilify and Dadee Maysr @ Annex WreckRoom, 794 Bloor St. W. Attention all hot steppers, rudegyals, rudeboys, bassfreaks, pole dancers, dark corner lurkers, and head nodders: Yes Yes Y’all would like to invite you to the baddest, queer hip-hop/dancehall/RnB jam around. Featuring Toronto soul/rap duo Bizzarh and Montreal-based DJ Vilify. $15 advance tickets available at Soundscapes and online; $20 at the door.
9 pm NYE @ Crawford, 718 College St. Celebrate 2014 in style with DJs Freeza Chin, Doug Skillmore, D-Wiz, and DJ Law’s video dance party! Hip-hop, RnB, trap, and reggae. $20 in advance (includes a free beverage); more at the door. Email jasmine@crawfordbar.com for booths and bottle reservations.
9 pm 159 Manning NYE: The Legend Continues @ 159 Manning Ave. Featuring performances by Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs, Only Child, Soft Hell + Timothy, and Raymond McCready. Acoustic performances (curated by Big Fat Sounds) by Luke Kuplowsky (a.k.a. Luka), Noah Mintz, Jesse L. Bellon, Alan Snoddy, and Stephen Prickett in the geodesic dome in the backyard. DJs Joel French, Patrick McCormack, Leafy Chiefy, and Jay Share-It on the main floor. BYOB. $10 at the door; $15 after 1 am. More details TBA.
9 pm NYE 2014 @ The Beaver, 1192 Queen St. W. Party like it’s 30214 with DJs Boy Pussy and Regina Thegentlelady. Hosted by the girls of Bad Tuck, Judt Virago and Igby Lizzard. $5.
9 pm NYE Prom 2014 @ Nyood, 1096 Queen St. W. Spangle in the New Year with the glittering prosperity of 2014! Shine your dancing shoes for a boutonniere and corsage kind of adult prom. $40 early bird tickets (includes champagne punch and canapes) and $55 early bird dinner tickets (includes pre-fix four-course dinner) available through bar@nyood.ca or (416) 466-1888.
9 pm Laserblast: A Broken Mixtape New Year’s Eve @ Baltic Avenue, 875 Bloor St. W. The best indie rock, new-wave, electro-pop, hip-hop, R&B, and mashups courtesy of This Broken Mixtape! Included in the evening: futuristically transformed 2014 decor, midnight champagne, hors d’oeuvres, gift giveaways, and NYE party favours. Expect to hear: LCD Soundsystem, New Order, The Strokes, Oasis, Animal Collective, Jay-Z, Washed Out, M83, The Pixies, The xx, Wu-Tang, Neon Indian, Daft Punk, Miguel, Frank Ocean, David Bowie, Outkast, Kanye, Vampire Weekend, and so much more. Dress code is “put a little effort in will ya?”
9 pm Rule Breakers’ NYE @ Souz Dal, 612 College St. No cover. No champagne. No hype. Bring your own vinyl and hear the music YOU want to hear as you enter the New Year! Midnight shots brought to you by Luksosawa Vodka and Jameson Irish Whiskey.
9 pm Pop Lobster: Super Best New Year’s Eve of Most Fun Edition @ Magpie, 831 Dundas St. W. Pop Lobster is your party-home away from home! And this lobster knows no pop boundaries! You may or may not hear some of this: TLC, Destiny’s Child, Daft Punk, Donna Summer, Blondie, Talking Heads, Le Tigre, Nelly, The Cure, Missy Elliot, Prince, Britney Spears, indie, mainstream, electro, Motown, new wave, disco. Orchestrated by your loyal pals Little Kicks and Digits, with charming guest DJ Arp2600 (of Silent Shout, Synthesexer, Weird Silence fame). $5 before 11 pm, $10 after.
9 pm Prohibition: NYE 2014 @ 559 College, 559 College St. Slip into your most dapper 1920s threads and prepare for a night of Prohibition Era decadence. The bar will be transformed into a vintage-style speakeasy emporium taking you back to the 1920s as you sip on Manhattans and Sidecars, nibble on delicious canapés amidst tap and Charleston dancers, gambling tables, and silent movie screenings. Though, it wouldn’t be anything without a fabulously dressed crowd – think flapper dresses, feathered headbands, tuxedos, top hats, and spats. $25 advance tickets (includes a classic cocktail upon arrival and champagne at midnight) available by emailing play@559college.com or calling (416) 640-5536.
9:30 pm Supermarket New Year’s Eve 2014 @ Supermarket, 268 Augusta Ave. DJ crew John Kong, Sean Sax, and mymanhenri – along with MC Abdominal – serve up the finest soul, classic hip-hop, funk, Motown, disco, and house joints! $15 early bird and $20 general admission tickets available at Supermarket, Soundscapes, Play De Record, and online.
10 pm Chronologic New Year’s Eve @ The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St. W. Ring in the New Year with a dance party through the ages! The Goin’ Steady DJs play the absolute best dance tracks from every era – unexpect the accepted except exceptional exceptions and DANCE. Pop and antipop from 1890 to 2014, played in chronological order. DJ Wes Allen holds down the front room, all night, into the future. $20 advance tickets available at Rotate This, Soundscapes, and online; $25 at the door.
10 pm P&L NYE ’14 @ Parts & Labour, 1566 Queen St. W. Kick off the party with White Girl in the Shop (rap music from 2001-now with DJs Patrick McGuire and ItsMattLangille) then move upstairs beginning at 11:30 pm for DJ sets by Josh Mcintyre and Josh Voynovich. $15 for both floors (or free with dinner if you feel so inclined).
10 pm BCH Ball NYE @ Bambi’s, 1265 Dundas St. W. Shake your NYE BCH bum with Body Interface! Work on your tan, sip a fruity cocktail, put a banana in your beer, and celebrate the future. BCH footwear is required after parking your boots. BCH attire is encouraged. BCH booty, techno tan, and BCH house music + REAL sand, coconut champagne at midnight, and a special performance by Man Made Hill. $10.
10 pm NYE 2014 @ Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W. Bring in 2014 with your friends and the sounds of: Paul E. Lopes (Bump N’ Hustle), Mike Tull (Bump N’ Hustle), Blueprint (Garage 416), Moreno (G416 / Hot Stepper), Jason Palma (Footprints), General Eclectic (Footprints), and Stuart Li (Footprints). Featuring soulful vibes, house music, proper reggae and hip-hop, tropical vibes, pool tables, and food. $25 advance tickets available at Rivoli, Play de Record, Cosmos Records, and online.
10 pm F’Unreal Presents: Crew Year’s Eve #5 @ The Boat, 158 Augusta Ave. Your pals Well Sad, Slater, L-Sos, Kek, and Ty are back to ring in the New Year! Dress to impress! $10 at the door.
10 pm Party at the Castle: NYE 2014 @ Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace. Step back in time to a period of European elegance and splendour at Canada’s Majestic Castle! 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of Casa Loma’s construction; be a part of history while experiencing a unique New Year’s Eve experience you won’t find anywhere else. Music stylings by DJ Rouge + complimentary champagne toast and coat check. Semi-formal attire. $75 advance tickets available online.
10 pm CrushTO NYE @ Club 120, 120 Church St. Get ready for a night of glitter and glam at I’d Tap That’s first New Year’s Eve Bash! #CrushTO is a flirty event series for hot, nerdy people who want to make sex-positive like-minded friends. An invitation for any and all: hetero, homo, queer, trans, kinky, lesbian, gay, vanilla, bi, flexible, poly, and open-minded young people (or young at heart). Featuring burlesque and drag shows + private consent-monitored booths to get hot and heavy in. Dress code: silver and white. $10 at the door ($15 gets you a glass of champagne at midnight).
10 pm NYE 2014: Lifelike with Natural Animal & more @ Wrongbar, 1279 Queen St. W. Music producer/DJ/remixer Lifelike (Paris) with support from Natural Animal, Kill Them With Colour, Kings of the North, and Gray Moonen. $20 early bird and $35 advance tickets available at Rotate This, Soundscapes, and online. For guestlist requests, email guestlist@wrongbar.com.
10 pm New Year’s Eve with DJ Lazarus @ Velvet Underground, 510 Queen St. W. Celebrate the end of 2013 and the start of a new year with the best soundtrack possible! DJ Lazarus plays classic alternative, retro, EBM, synthpop, minimal wave, post-punk, and your requests until 5 am. $15 advance tickets available at Velvet Underground and (soon-to-be) online; $20 at the door.
10 pm Go Hard NYE Party @ The Steady, 1051 Bloor St. W. DJ Blackcat brings his Go Hard party to The Steady for NYE! R&B, hip-hop, dancehall, house, and soca + free champagne at midnight, free party favours, and extended bar service until 3 am. $15 at the door ($10 for groups of 6 or more).
10 pm Come Together @ El Mocambo (main floor), 464 Spadina Ave. The Soul in Motion crew will be ringing in 2014 in style at Toronto’s legendary El Mocambo! Featuring Marcus Visionary, DJ Lush, NC-17, J-Lah, DJ Spinz, Mr. Brown, Scott Free, Grizzy, and Polaris playing drum and bass, jungle, dubstep, and trap. Extended NYE hours. $20 advance tickets available at Play De Record, Shanti Baba, and online.
10 pm Together @ Liberty Grand (Exhibition Place), 25 British Columbia Rd. Join over 5,000 people for Toronto’s largest New Years Eve celebration: Together at the Liberty Grand. Michael Woods, Quintino, Mightyfools, Joe Ghost, and Party Favours in the Governors Room; Mark Knight, Funkagenda, DOORLY, DJ Addy, Mikey Terra & Jay Force, Maxum, and Mark Vidovik in the Artifacts Room; Watch The Duck, 4KORNERS, Lo Kei, Armo Kidd, and hosted Infu in the Renaissance Room. $62.75-$107 advance tickets available online.